Evaluation use is an area of research with important implications for
evaluation theory and practice. A review of the evaluation use literature reveals
the factors that affect evaluation use provide important implications for evaluation
practice (Burr, 2009; Cousins & Leithwood, 1986). Using a concurrent,
phenomenological approach, the current study examined a model forwarded by
Peck and Gorzalski (2009) within an ongoing program evaluation at two sites.
Three findings emerged from the analysis revealing implications for evaluation
practice and research.
1) Conceptual and process use occurred at both sites.
2) Evaluation factors appeared to specifically affect process use, while
contextual factors appeared to affect use in general.
3) Organizational receptiveness of evaluation and the evaluator’s role
emerged as two contextual factors affecting use.
The study also provides implications for evaluation use research, as the
use of concurrent, qualitative methods used appear to be effective in investigating
the factors affecting use.

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